Hands 4 Paws

Hands 4 Paws Mission Statement

Our mission is to work with the public and government to facilitate the legal and humane protection of domestic companion animals in Douglas County. This includes providing protective shelter care for animals in need, as well as promoting responsible pet ownership through outreach, education, and training; and protecting people from animals and animals from people.

Upcoming Events

Wildlife and Pet Show

We will be at Villa Grove Ag Days on Sat August 1. We will be in the beer tent at the corner of Main and Harrison, across from the old community building. Get up close and pet some zoo babies from Brown's Oakridge Zoo in Peoria. You can even have your picture taken with them for a $6 donation. Also look at some wild and pet birds from U of I Wildlife Clinic and a Bird Rescue. Watch an Agility Demo by local trainer Jean Fisher. Watch the Arthur Police K9 Unit demo. Enter a contest with your pet.

To enter the contests with your pet: You Must register by 9 am and be present at 10:15 to enter event. Registration fee is $3 for 1 contest or $5 for both. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd.

Events:
8 am - 2 pm Exotic Zoo Babies
Wild Birds

Pet Birds
8 - 9:30 am K9 Agility Demo

9:30 - 10:30 am K9 Unit Demo
10:30 am              Pet/Owner Look-a-like & Best Trick contest
10:30 - 1 pm         K9 Agility Demo

If you have questions, please email hands4pawsinc@yahoo.com or call Tanya at 253-3221

Next Board Meeting

Members are welcome to attend our next board meeting. The meeting will start at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, July 7 in the dining room at Jarman Center, Tuscola. If you would like to attend, but are not a member, please email us so we know you will be attending.

Next Animal Control Board Meeting

The next Animal Control meeting will be Tuesday July 14. The meeting starts at 1:30 pm. The meetings are held at the Douglas County Court House, on the first floor in the back right corner room. If you have any questions, please email us at hands4pawsinc@yahoo.com.

"Happy Tails: The Call of Nature" book for sale

We are selling the Kirby and Cindy Pringle's new book "Happy Tails: The Call of Nature." You can purchase the book by contacting Tanya at 217-253-3221 or stopping by the Okaw Veterinary Clinic. Each book is $17.00.

News

"Tank" was saved thanks to the Pet Rescue Kit we donated!

On June 26th, 2009 Villa Grove Fire Department responded to a house fire. While putting out the house fire, they were informed a dog named Tank was trapped inside the burning house. Anthony Bennett entered the house and found Tank, who was unconscious and not breathing well . Anthony carried Tank outside where he and Fire fighter Mike Akers used the mask and ambu bag to revive Tank. (An ambu bag is a bag that is squeezed to force air and oxygen into the lungs). Leeza Chapman, a graduate of Parkland College’s Veterinary Technician program, was called to help with the injured dog. Tank was stablilized and was transferred to the Animal Emergency Clinic in Champaign. Tank is recovering well due to the quick response of the Villa Grove Fire Department, Leeza Chapman and the Pet Rescue Kit.

In the fall of 2007, Tanya Kern, head of our fundraiser committee, was inspired to make dog and cat rescue kits for the local fire departments. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, we were able to raise the money. Rescue kits for dogs and cats were purchased for all the fire departments in Douglas County. We purchased 9 of these kits and held a demonstration for the fire departments and presented them with their kit at that time.

Back row: Fire fighter Mike Akers, EMS Coordinator Anthony Bennett

Middle row: Tanya Kern (Head of Fundraiser committee), Rachael Green (Shelter Liaison), Vet technician Leeza Chapman

Front row: Bert Gaston and Tank

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has classified us as a 501(c)(3) public charity!

The new designation means that financial contributions to the organization are now tax-deductible. Hands-4-Paws will also be able to receive tax-deductible bequests, transfers or gifts. In addition, the organization may now apply for grants from a number of foundations to fund various projects.

Upon hearing of the organization’s formal approval as a 501(c)(3), President Kelley Drake commented, “I really want to thank all of the people who have supported our organization from its formation and through continued growth. Being designated as a 501(c)(3) public charity will help Hands-4-Paws further its mission. Now that contributions and gifts to Hands-4-Paws are tax-deductible, we will be able to attract funding from a wider group of donors.”

Hands-4-Paws members assist in various community outreach projects, provide socialization and fostering of rescued strays, identify and report animal abuse, and provide training and educational programs for the advancement of responsible animal ownership.

Thank you to everyone who helped us raise money for a new grooming tub for the Douglas County Animal Shelter. We were able to raise more than enough money for the tub. We were able to donate the grooming tub, 2 bottles of shampoo, 7 DAP diffuser refills (to help calm the dogs), 2 kinds of cat toys and 10 large and 10 small bowls that attach to the kennel doors. A special Thank you! goes to Norma and Cletus Day for making a $150 donation toward the tub.

Norma and Cletus Day, Jodi Lytle (Douglas County Animal Control Administrator), Kelley Drake (Hands 4 Paws president)

Intrested in helping out with parade events? We are looking for help to form a parade committee. If you are interested, please call Tanya at 253-3221 or email us at hands4pawsinc@yahoo.com.

Thanks to everyone who atttended our Easter Bunny Photos and Easter Egg Hunts. We had a great attendance this year. Miss Tuscola, Junior Miss Tuscola and Little Miss Tuscola attended and helped stuff eggs for the egg hunts and helped hide the eggs. Check out some of the photos we took over the two weekends on our photo page.

Wish list for the Douglas County Animal Shelter

Items can be dropped off at the Shelter Mon - Sat from 8 am - 1 pm and 3 pm - 6 pm. If you have any questions, please call 253-4921.

Needed items: Hand sanitizer, Rubber gloves, Steel posts for fencing, Scrub brushes on poles, Hand held scrub brushes, Bleach, Towels, Blankets, Ear cleanser, Lyme and Sulfur dip, Digital thermometer, Antibiotic ointment, No Chew wrap, Small, Medium and Large dog collars, Leashes

For grooming and bathing: Shampoo, Medicated shampoos

For raised dog beds: 1 3/4 inch plastic PVC pipe in 2 and 3 foot lengths, 1 3/4 inch PVC 3 way elbows, Cotton duck fabric or Neoprene mesh

Wanted items: Elizabethan Collars in all sizes, Plastic dog houses, Dog toys, Cat toys, Comfort zone kit for dogs

Thanks to everyone who came to Santa Paws and had their photos taken with Santa. The event was held at Best Friends' K9 Center here in Tuscola. Check out some of the photos on the photo page.

Support Hands 4 Paws when you are searching online!

Go to www.goodsearch.com and under "Who do you GoodSearch for?" enter in Hands 4 Paws. Use this search engine and we will receive a donation each time you use it.

Go to www.goodshop.com and under "Who do you GoodShop for?" enter Hands 4 Paws. Use this page to shop hundreds of online stores, including Macy's, Walmart, Target, Petsmart, Ebay, Ralph Lauren, Kohls.

Past Events

Loyalty Day in Villa Grove, Easter Bunny Pictures and Egg Hunts in Tuscola, Santa Paws in Tuscola, Woolly Worm Festival in Camargo, Broomcorn Festival in Arcola, Fall Craft Show in Tuscola, Fourth of July Puppy Parade in Tuscola, Raggedy Ann and Andy Festival in Arcola, Petstravaganza at the University of Illinois

If you would like to make an donation please send to:

Hands 4 Paws

PO Box 204

Tuscola, IL 61953

E-mail: hands4pawsinc@yahoo.com

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